I'm far from final conclusions too. Let's wait a bit. I think there is still hope._________________"The piano keys
Are black and white
But they sound like a million colours in your mind"
(from Spider's Web by Katie Melua)
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Avatar is from work of art by Drew Struzan

The title of that FB event is something like: "We say NO to cancellation of this year's FMF edition in Kraków"._________________"The piano keys
Are black and white
But they sound like a million colours in your mind"
(from Spider's Web by Katie Melua)
---
Avatar is from work of art by Drew Struzan

Dutchbat
Rear Admiral (Ambassador)

Joined: Aug 09, 2008
Member#: 22196
Posts: 1730
Location: Roosendaal

Posted:
Fri Jan 13, 2012 4:06 am Post subject:

I have contacted the organisation once I read this forumposting. I knew already from our contact at KBF that there were some financial issues with the City Council but that would only mean downscaling a bit.
I asked them now for an official statement on a go or no-go for FMF. As soon as I have the answer I'll post it here and on the World Tour page._________________Wow, that was fun, let's do it again!! (Donkey in "Shrek")
take a look at my collection: My album list

On the bottom left there is a button called: "Popieram petycję - JESTEM ZA"
Click on it and you can sign the petition
When you want your email address visible click the first option "Udostępniam"
Use the button: "Podpisz petycję" to confirm it

O after that you have to confirm your email address I forgot wich button that was, maybe somebody can post here which button then must be clicked_________________That's the beauty of music. They can't take that away from you. (Andy Dufresne)
CollectionsRequestsNUT/RAT

In addition you receive an email, with a link you must confirm you signature as well
Click the link below in the email that says "Jeśli jesteś osoba podpisująca petycje, kliknij w poniższy link, aby powrócić na
nasza stronę w celu zweryfikowania swojego podpisu."

Translated: "If you are the person signing the petition, click on the link below to return to
our website in order to verify your signature."_________________That's the beauty of music. They can't take that away from you. (Andy Dufresne)
CollectionsRequestsNUT/RAT

Done. Please - sign petition..._________________Human beings are divided into mind and body. The mind embraces all the nobler aspirations, like poetry and philosophy, but the body has all the fun - Woody Allen

Last edited by Tonks on Wed Jan 18, 2012 3:11 pm; edited 1 time in total

Signed it._________________"The piano keys
Are black and white
But they sound like a million colours in your mind"
(from Spider's Web by Katie Melua)
---
Avatar is from work of art by Drew Struzan

Dutchbat
Rear Admiral (Ambassador)

Joined: Aug 09, 2008
Member#: 22196
Posts: 1730
Location: Roosendaal

Posted:
Wed Jan 18, 2012 5:12 am Post subject:

I didn't get an email, but signed the petition.
of course I will send an official statement as ambassador via KBF to the Krakow Board.

I hope there will be an english version of the petition soon, so we can put it on the websites of SST and MT (incl. the FB-pages)_________________Wow, that was fun, let's do it again!! (Donkey in "Shrek")
take a look at my collection: My album list

Today at one of big polish websites there was live, interactive chat with KBF boss - Izabela Helbin (about Kraków festivals in 2012).

I was unable to follow the discussion live and for now text of that discussion is still unavailable at website's chat archive, so I don't know the latest views of KBF boss, but I'll keep an eye on that website archive and will let you know as soon as I find out something more about that chat._________________"The piano keys
Are black and white
But they sound like a million colours in your mind"
(from Spider's Web by Katie Melua)
---
Avatar is from work of art by Drew Struzan

I received from the person who created the facebook event an English translation of the Petition (link and instructions how to sign it see previous posts):

The recent media reports and statements of top city officials indicate that Krakow will not stage its 5th Film Music Festival this year. This is due not only to budget cuts and a need to economise, but also because of polictically motivated decisions. By supporting spending cuts in the area of culture, we agree to the marginalisation of Krakow, a city that has so far successfully aspired to the title of the Polish Capital of Culture. The city has long been investing in unique events and niches that allowed it to stand out and grow in many areas of culture. Krakow has been notable in its dedication to early and contemporary music, film and literature, art and theatre.

One of the highlights of Krakow’s cultural scene is the Film Music Festival. The festival has been a success story: it helped Krakow earn its international position and proved its ambition and potential to host one of the most important international events where film music is in the spotlight. Organizers insisted from the very beginning that the event be located in and intrinsically linked with Krakow - capital of the Malopolska region. Therefore moving the event to a different location in times of economic hardship is not a viable option.

Not only has the FMF for years attracted great composers and artists, but above all, it is an event beloved by audiences of all ages. In just a few days in May, the attendence levels approach the 17000 mark with numbers of foreign visitors growing annually. The FMF facebook profile lists 6000 active members. A spontaneous protest against the budget cuts drew support of 1300 people on the Internet within just 4 days after the news was publicised. More and more fans from all over the world join in.

The festival is one of its kind in Poland and has 2 counterparts in the world. It is also Krakow’s only cultural event ever mentioned in the Hollywood trend-setting "Variety" magazine or in the "Hollywood Report". Frequent enquiries that hit the FMF official and social networking websites confirm its highly regarded status. They are sent in by composers from around the world who wish to take part and ask for instruction on how to apply.

The combination of the Film Music Festival with the activities of the Krakow Film Commission and the Regional Film Fund further contributes to the build-up of the image of Krakow in the world. Collaboration with the RMF Classic radio station facilitates nationwide promotion. Film music has often been seen as a borderline between pop culture and classical music; at the festival it is always staged as a high profile celebration of art. Also, the repertoire brings to concert halls lots of young listeners that otherwise would not be likely to turn up for symphony concerts.

Strategic partnerships made the festival famous around the world. Suffice it to say that acclaimed artists like Hans Zimmer, John Williams or Patrick Doyle are planning to attend. The festival boasts its quality simultaneous shows, a large number of previews and world premieres, appearances by artists otherwise hardly available. To give just one example, it was Krakow that hosted the first European performance of the legendary Asian composer Joe Hisaishi. The recording of his Krakow concert was high on the bestsellers’ list in Japan for a few weeks. The FMF received many of the world's major figures of the genre - the Oscar winners: Howard Shore, Jan A.P. Kaczmarek, and Tan Dun, impeccable Umebayashi and Hamauzu, the already mentioned Joe Hisaishi, as well as Tom Tykwer. Memorable performance of the Lord of the Rings, world premieres of Hero, Single Man, The Banquet, and Pirates of Caribbean, are only a few unique projects completed under the auspices of the festival. It was here that fans, for the first and only time in Poland, could applaud Eric Serra, Reinhold Heil, Johnny Klimek, Shigeru Umebayashi, Masashi Hamauzu and Max Raabe.

It is worth noting that the FMF is an event that primarily showcases musical ensembles from Krakow. Thanks to the festival, the world has again had the opportunity to appreciate the great performances of Sinfonietta Cracovia, Krakow Philharmonic Choir, the Polish Radio Choir, Pueri Cantores Sancti Nicolai, a federation of choirs in Krakow - Pro Musica Mundi, Aukso Orchestra and Beethoven Academy Orchestra.

Krakow’s and Poland’s best soloists, instrumentalists and vocalists perform at the festival. They are joined by world-famous conductors, including Diego Navarro, Arnold Roth, Ludwig Wicki, Benjamin Wallfish, Richard Kaufman. Renowned composers, as they grow fascinated by the true artistry of musicians of Krakow, turn into ambassadors of Krakow culture and its musical ensembles. No better business card could be presented to the international assembly of music producers, culture management professionals and journalists.

The Film Music Festival is a well-recognized brand, a proven, long-term investment and a unique tourist attraction and as such it should make Cracovians proud. We therefore apeal to you to look at the issue afresh and put aside political leanings. It is wasteful to cancel an event whose promotional, artistic and cultural reverberance by far outweighs the financial expenditure incurred by the city.

Your election promises and agendas championed Krakow youth and academic community.
Please, do not take this festival away from us. Here generations meet and different nationalities come together. Here Krakow proves it is capable of hosting modern and attractive initiatives._________________That's the beauty of music. They can't take that away from you. (Andy Dufresne)
CollectionsRequestsNUT/RAT

To put things short: nothing is really decided yet. KBF still wants to organize FMF which is priority event for them. They are currently in process of some contracts renegotiations (probably with sponsors), they wait for usual money donation from Polish government, and still try to convince local politics from the City Council to change their decision and give more money for festivals in 2012.

There is also hope that maybe voivodeship (province) authorities will help the city to find money for FMF.

Good to see FMF has been directly mentioned during the chat, and more than once._________________"The piano keys
Are black and white
But they sound like a million colours in your mind"
(from Spider's Web by Katie Melua)
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Avatar is from work of art by Drew Struzan

Last edited by molossus on Mon Jan 23, 2012 2:38 pm; edited 2 times in total